Ibrahim Traore, the head of Burkina Faso’s military regime, has accused neighboring Côte d’Ivoire of providing refuge to individuals bent on destabilizing his country.
Ties between the two countries have been rocky of late, and on April 19 their ministers of defence held a meeting on the border in a bid to bring about a “new start” in relations.
Traore’s comments, made during an interview with Burkina Faso’s national broadcaster RTB on Friday, shows the strained relations between the two West African nations.
In his remarks, Traore pointedly criticized the Ivorian authorities, alleging that they have been welcoming individuals involved in activities aimed at destabilizing Burkina Faso.
Traore said: “All the destabilisers are there and they aren’t hiding”.
“At some point, we have to stop the hypocrisy and tell the truth — there’s a problem with the authorities of this country,” he added.
He emphasized the need to address the issue transparently, asserting that there is a significant problem with the authorities in Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire.
The relationship between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire has been fraught with tension recently, prompting the defense ministers of both countries to convene a meeting on April 19 at the border in an attempt to mend relations and chart a new course forward.
Traore’s government came to power following a coup in 2022 and has since adopted a foreign policy stance that distances itself from former colonial power France in favor of forging closer ties with other military regimes in the region, as well as with Russia.
Addressing Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, Traore disclosed that he has had no significant communication with him, despite initial discussions and exchanges.
“At first we spoke a little on the telephone, he sent me emissaries, we discussed — we were hoping things went ahead with common sense,” he continued, adding “that is broken” now.
Regarding the recent border meeting between the defense chiefs of both countries, Traore indicated that the discussions were constructive, with both sides engaging in frank exchanges. He expressed optimism about the potential for progress but emphasized that the onus is now on Côte d’Ivoire to respond.
Frictions between the two neighboring nations have been exacerbated by incidents such as the arrest of a Burkinabe soldier and a civilian official in northern Côte d’Ivoire at the end of March.
Similarly, last September, two Ivorian police officers were detained in Burkina Faso at an illegal gold mining site, further straining bilateral relations.
Negotiations are ongoing to secure the release of individuals detained in both countries.
Additionally, Burkina Faso’s communications authority recently blocked local access to the BBC and Voice of America for two weeks in response to the broadcasting of a rights report accusing the Burkinabe army of attacking civilians in its fight against jihadist groups.
